Vehicle Inspections

Background

As a result of House Bill 2305 passed during the 83rd legislative session, the State of Texas will stop issuing inspection stickers and transition to a “Two Steps, One Sticker” vehicle inspection and registration program beginning March 1, 2015.

Standard exempt license plates are issued to vehicles owned by government entities. Texas A&M Forest Service vehicles have the word “EXEMPT” printed on the plate. As a result of “Two Steps, One Sticker”, these vehicles will now receive a registration sticker as proof of inspection.

Annual Vehicle Inspection

There are two steps to follow under “Two Steps, One Sticker”:

1. Complete a vehicle inspection at a state inspection station and pay the station portion of the applicable inspection fee(s) (see chart on page 2). The station will provide a hard copy receipt and enter the vehicle inspection data into the state’s database. A copy of the receipt will need to remain in the vehicle.
2. Pay the applicable state portion of the applicable inspection fee(s) (see chart on page 2) in person at any county tax office. [The only exception to this is the unmarked LE vehicles must be registered in Angelina County.] A registration sticker will be issued once the inspection fee is paid and the vehicle inspection status has been verified.

Note: The two steps don’t have to be completed in the same county; however, if the county where you attempt to pay the state portion of the applicable inspection fee(s) requires an emissions inspection, they will not issue a registration sticker until this requirement is met.  We recommend that you complete both steps in the same county to help avoid potential problems.

Make sure to complete both steps prior to the end of the month of vehicle inspection expiration. Inspection fees, both station and state portion, should be charged to an agency procurement card. The alternative payment option is to pay with personal funds and submit a reimbursement request. Additional fees may be required at the county tax office if payment is made by credit card. If the vehicle receives new license plates, email a copy of the registration renewal receipt to the Financial Accountant responsible for Property and Financial Accountant responsible for compliance reporting, both in the Payroll and Support Services Department for changes to be made to equipment inventory, vehicle fleet and fuel card records.

Reporting

The inspection fees need to be recorded on the vehicle mileage log within the month each fee is paid and included in the monthly vehicle fleet reports.